Cheap health insurance: private healthcare you can actually afford

Yes, good health cover at a good price is possible

A lot of people assume private healthcare is expensive. The reality is that there are private health plans from under €30 a month that give most people more than enough cover.

The trick is finding the plan with the cover you actually need, without paying for services you'll never use.

What can you expect from an affordable plan?

What cheap plans do include

• GP appointments: Primary care at private centres.
• Specialists with a copayment: Dermatology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology and other specialities for a €5-15 copayment.
• Basic diagnostic tests: Blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound scans.
• A&E: 24-hour emergency care with a copayment.
• Telemedicine: Online consultations included on most plans, sometimes with no copayment.

What they usually don't include

• Extended hospital stays
• Major surgery
• Dental cover
• International travel assistance
• Cost reimbursement

How to find cover that's both cheap and good

1. Go for plans with copayments

Policies with copayments have significantly lower premiums. If you're young and healthy and only see a doctor a few times a year, the copayments will cost you less than the premium difference on a plan without them.

2. Only buy what you need

Don't pay for cover you won't use. If you're not planning to travel abroad, you don't need international cover. If you don't need a dentist, don't add a dental module.

3. Compare, compare, compare

Price differences between similar plans can be as much as 40%. Our comparison tool shows you the cheapest options for your situation.

4. Think about premium stability

Cover that's very cheap in year one can double in price within five years. Ask how premiums have moved historically before you commit.

5. Make the most of your age

The younger you are when you take out cover, the lower your premium. And if you choose a plan with stable premiums, you'll keep competitive prices for years.

Affordable plan prices by age

Age	Guide monthly price
18-25	€20 - €35
25-35	€30 - €50
35-45	€40 - €65
45-55	€55 - €90

Prices for basic plans with copayments. They vary by plan and province.

Does cheap mean bad?

Not necessarily. An affordable policy isn't a bad policy; it's one that keeps costs down by dropping cover not everyone needs. For a young, healthy person who sees a doctor 3-4 times a year, a basic plan with copayments gives them everything they need at an excellent price.

What matters is understanding exactly what your plan does and doesn't cover, so nothing catches you out.

When a cheap plan is NOT the right call

• If you see a doctor very often (the copayments add up).
• If you have chronic conditions needing ongoing care.
• If you have young children (paediatrician visits are frequent).
• If you need maternity cover.
• If you're over 55 (the price gap with a complete plan narrows with age).

In those cases, a plan with more cover can work out cheaper in the long run.